A photo dated to 1902 showcasing some paddles and a very early style of canvas canoe in the New Brunswick area...
Lake Nasahie, New Brunswick, 1902 August 21
by Ervin S. Hubbard
Prescott and Seward floating canoe over Outlet of Lake Nasahie
Thursday, May 22, 2025
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Thursday, April 17, 2025
Historic Paddle Photo: Wisconsin Ojibwa Paddle
Here's a 1908 photo showcasing a woman and child posing with a birchbark canoe found in the online collection of The Langlade County Historical Society.
Woman and child with a birch bark canoe, 1908
Kingsbury, Arthur J., 1876-1956
Format: Glass negative
Description
An adult and child appear to be preparing to launch a birch bark canoe.
Handwritten caption reads: "Copyright 1908 by A.J. Kingsbury, Antigo, Wis."
Langlade County Historical Society
The closeup of the paddle shows a very interesting grip shape, a sort of stubby pommel.
Paddle Closeup
It is similar in design to the "Chippewa Woman's Paddle" in the collection of the Smithsonian discussed in the 2017 post here.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Paddle Art: S.C. Shaw - THE PADDLE MAKER
Here's a lovely piece of canoe themed art by Canadian Artist, Stuart Clifford Shaw (1896-1970) sold in a 2007 Waddington's Auction.
THE PADDLE MAKER
Stuart Clifford Shaw
Oil on Masonite (14” X 10”)
Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Tom P acquires Chestnut Paddle
Some of the paddles in the private collection of Tom Penniston have been featured on the site. Tom was fortunate to recently acquire another spectacular pieces that was recently up for auction at Waddington's in December of 2024.
Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Paddle
56.25 x 4.5 x 1 in — 142.9 x 11.4 x 2.5 cm
Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto
While not attributed to any specific carver, the paddle's style is reflective of an older form of Maliseet/Wabanaki paddle with the tear-drop blade and pointed tip. A similar paddle shape is seen in an circa 1886 illustration featuring a similar flattened handle and large carved drip ring being paddled by tourists renting out bark canoes from this post here.
One side of the grip face is etched with the former owners name, "W. Chestnut". This would be William T. Chestnut (1867 - 1935) of Chestnut Canoe Co fame. Long before the establishment of the canoe company in 1904, William was an avid outdoorsman and hunter while working in the family business, R. Chestnut & Sons, Hardware Merchants. Surviving documentation and photos showcase his love for outdoor pursuits, including this circa 1887 photograph featuring men of a sporting club in Fredericton, New Brunswick paddling bark canoes near their summer camp, Camp Comfort. William Chestnut on the far left with the white sleeves.
Provincial Archives of New Brunswick
Reference number: P5-175
TAYLOR, GEORGE: PHOTOGRAPHS
Description
Eight men in canoes from Camp Comfort Island. The artistic layout of this picture caused it to make quite a hit in 1887. Springhill in background.
The resolution and angle prevent seeing any details of his paddle, but it is not a stretch to think that in the 1880's these white patrons were commissioning birchbark canoes and accompanying paddles for their use from local Maliseet craftsmen. St. Mary's First Nation was located was directly across the river from Fredericton. Perhaps that it is the origin of William's which was customized with his name and an etching of nesting birds on the blade.
Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Paddle
56.25 x 4.5 x 1 in — 142.9 x 11.4 x 2.5 cm
Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto
Blade Closeup
Image Courtesy of Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Toronto
Friday, January 10, 2025
Wabanaki Paddles at the Maine Maritime Museum
Here are four paddles in the collections of the Maine Maritime Museum. They have been grouped together because of their Penobscot / Wabanaki influences.
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Canoe Paddles
Catalog Numbers: 2007.024.1 - .4
Descriptions:
1 - Penobscot Indian paddle (70" long)
2 - paddle manufactured by E. M. White, in Penobscot style (69" long)
3 - Wabanaki paddle, probably Penobscot, with wide blade (74" long)
4 - Wabanaki paddle with scalloped edges, possibly Passamaquoddy or Maliseet (69" long)
